Much of the game is physically good, but the mental side is also important. I make a decision every other time during a game. It is important for me to have a clear mind and not fog. The better I sleep, the sharper my mind, and the clearer there is nothing like waking up and being refreshed with high energy that can give you power throughout the day. For elite athletes, this energy is crucial – quality sleep is essential for optimal athletic performance.
Sleep and the elite athlete – Every major sport now focuses on the important role of sleep. Athletes, as well as their coaches, learn that if they are well-rested, they can improve their game, improve their mental focus and recover faster from injuries. If you are deprived of sleep or calling your boy cat names while sleeping, you will probably do less well in everything – and the same goes for us who do not have sports benefits.
Sleep and elite athletes – Therefore, as a goal-driven company, Sleep Number is a proud partner of the NFL, helping players perform at their best with high-quality sleep. The goal: that individuals and teams benefit from faster recovery and the many other mental and physical benefits associated with a good night’s sleep.
Over 2,000 players now have our smart beds and learn how sleep affects their performance on the field and in every aspect of life. They can see the relationship between their SleepIQ® score and their performance. The Sleeping Number, NFL Players Association, and Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society are pursuing the mission of promoting player well-being and safety.
NFL athletes like Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins ??have discovered the important role of high-quality eye art. “It’s so important to sleep well,” shared Cousins ??in my recent conversation about Thrive. ‘As athletes, so y decision-making day is, “says Cousins, who added that when he slept well,” I am the best myself. I can think clearly. My brain chemistry, my focus and my attention to detail are based on my sleep quality. “
More and more athletes are setting the record for how to prioritize sleep. NBA star LeBron James sleeps an average of 12 hours a night, and Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt and tennis player Venus Williams get 10 hours a night. Tennis star Roger Federer said: “If I don’t sleep for 11 to 12 hours a day, it’s not right.”
Justin Verlander, the Houston Astros pitcher – one of the best of his generation – has become a leading spokesman for sleep. He credits good quality zzz’s for much of his success and targets 10 hours a night. “And when I need more, I’m not afraid to just sleep anymore,” he said.
We now know categorically that sleep is a fundamental pillar of health along with good nutrition and exercise. Sleep deprivation used to be a badge of honor – we are determined to make sleep quality the new honor with SleepIQ technology.
Like me, Dr. Cheri Mah, MD, MS, a sleep scientist at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Human Performance Center, very pleased that athletes as cousins ??get taller and more proud of sleep, expressing their views in the sports field. and further. “It is imperative for every elite athlete to get a good night’s rest.
I recommend them for eight to 10 hours (more than seven to nine hours, usually recommended for adults) because of the physiological burden that athletes carry. Their exercise every day is usually much higher than weekend fighters and other people, ”says dr. Mah, who has worked with several teams, including the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. As she points out, when athletes start making changes and noticing the benefits, they are more likely to fall asleep.
Although the sleep challenges depend on the type of sport, the number of games played in a season and travel, quality improvement is essential for all athletes to be at the top of their game, Dr. Mah. “In professional sports, everyone wants a competitive edge, and sleep is an area teams haven’t focused on before.”
Her extensive research includes this usual study at Stanford University, where members of the Stanford men’s basketball team increase their average nightly sleep of 110 minutes. After a few weeks, the extra rest resulted in a 9% lift in the players’ free kick and three points. Dr. Mah said: ‘Good sleep is important to optimize cognitive performance, such as reaction time and decision making, and also to improve motor skills and learning.
This applies to everyone, whether you run a marathon, sign up for hours in the gym, or just go regularly in your area. What works for athletes also works for us because we all need to do well and be the best we can be. With that in mind, here are three steps you can take to improve your sleep and performance.
Create an ideal sleeping environment
We spend a third of our lives in bed, and our sleeping environment can be a huge factor in how we sleep. Make your bedroom dark, quiet and comfortable. Keep the room cool, which will help you fall asleep and lead to quality sleep. If you live in a noisy environment, white noise machines or a fan can be useful for masking external sounds.
Get quality sleep
What you sleep about matters. Your mattress, pillow and bedding are an important factors in how well you sleep. Sleep Number 360 smart beds help NFL players learn from their SleepIQ® data how to optimize their recovery and do their best – as you can. The 360 ??Smart Bed takes thousands of biometric measurements each evening and delivers personal insight into a heartbeat, breathing and movement, as well as natural sleep and wake cycles; It also gives you ‘SleepIQ® Score’. The 360® bed is important to make use of biosignal analysis to improve deep rest at night by making firmness adjustments without the user needing any action. For athletes (and the rest of us), it is priceless.
Our recent research shows that people who sleep on our beds and use their SleepIQ technology benefit from extra quality sleep every 15 minutes – it doesn’t matter! Whatever bed you choose, make sure it is supportive and comfortable.
Establish a thoughtful exchange routine
Having a soothing and relaxing bedtime routine is a great way to end the day. It starts with sleep every time at the same time, which helps the body to expect regular sleep. Our internal body clock – or circadian rhythm – keeps our body in sync, and disrupting our cycle can lead to health problems, so regular bedtime is important.
Your routine may include gentle stretching, perhaps with a foam roller, a hot shower and reading a real book or magazine. Avoid exposure to blue light from screens so that you do not activate your brain to stay awake. Dr. Blue light can prevent the release of melatonin and thus sleep, ‘adds Dr. Mah knows. “I like to calm the mind and relax before bed. Professional athletes often have races that they use in their latest games, for example. Various meditation practices and breathing techniques can be very helpful. And sometimes, athletes take biofeedback into their bedtime routine. “
People usually process their thoughts from the day just before bed or when in bed. Or they stay awake expecting what to do the next day. This can lead to rumination and anxiety. Dr. Mah and I agree that the simple process of ending the day and organizing your thoughts can be helpful: ‘I encourage athletes to do something as simple as writing a to-do list. “It’s helpful,” she says, “because it allows you to process your thoughts from day to day and plan tomorrow. This prepares you for a more relaxing, stress-free sleep.
You cannot underestimate the relationship between sleep and performance. My goal is to help you reach your full potential by maximizing the benefits of a good night’s sleep. Bedtime should be relaxing and peaceful. I want to spend the time before going to bed grateful for the blessings of my life and ponder what brought me joy that day. Quality sleep keeps me calm, balanced and present so I can fully appreciate the gifts of life. I hope you also benefit from high-quality sleep.
